Chapter Four:
Season 30 (1993)
The thirtieth anniversary of Doctor Who had arrived. To commemorate this momentous occasion, the Doctor Who staff would bring back all of the surviving Doctors and many of their companions. This season would also mark a change in running times, with each episode running 30 minutes in length instead of 25.
Season 30 would air on BBC One from the 3rd of July, 1993 to the 13th of November, 1993, comprising two six-part serials and two four-part serials. In addition, a 2-hour TV movie (which would also serve as the show's 30th anniversary special) would finish the season, airing on the 20th of November, 1993.
"The Enemy Within"
Written by: Christopher Priest
Directed by: Barry Letts
Original Transmission Dates: 3 July 1993-7 August 1993
This six-part serial focuses exclusively on The Doctor and his relationship with the TARDIS, with the Doctor having to come to terms with his deepest, darkest fear at the ship's heart.
This story was voted #26 of 323 in the "Story of Stories" poll.
"Conquest of the Daleks"
Written by: Russell Davies
Directed by: Christopher Barry
Original Transmission Dates: 14 August 1993-4 September 1993
At long last, the Dalek Civil War enters its final battle. But, when Davros discovers that the Imperial-race Daleks want peace with the Renegades, what would happen? And what harm would the Doctor create?
This story was voted #151 out of 323 in the "Story of Stories" poll.
"Meltdown"
Written by: Gary Hopkins
Directed by: Lorette Leblanc
Original Transmission Dates: 11 September 1993-2 October 1993
After many years apart from him, Victoria Waterfield spies The Doctor's TARDIS. In that time, Victoria has become a crusader for the Earth's environment. However, there is more to these activities. And on top of this…Victoria wants to kill The Doctor.
This story had the interesting premise of how The Doctor could harm lives as much as he can save them. It was also notable for the return of Deborah Watling as Victoria, who was a companion for Patrick Troughton's Second Doctor.
It was voted #245 of 323 in the "Story of Stories" poll.
"Damaged Goods"
Written by: Russell Davies
Directed by: Colin Cant
Original Transmission Dates: 9 October 1993-13 November 1993
In the final regular serial of Season 30, The Doctor, Bernice and Henrick investigate a deadly new drug that is terrorizing the streets of 1993 London. Suddenly, The Doctor must find the truth behind a rundown housing development and a dark bargain made on one fateful Christmas Eve.
This story was voted #6 out of 323 in the "Story of Stories" poll.
"The Dark Dimension"
Written by: Adrian Rigelsford
Directed by: Graeme Harper
Original Transmission Date: 20 November 1993
Far in the Earth's future and with nearly all of humanity having been wiped out, Bernice is leading the resistance. However, a search party finds the Doctor's body. After giving him a Viking funeral, Bernice learns that time is becoming unstable: for some unknown reason, the 3rd Doctor never traveled to Metebelis 3 and, therefore, never regenerated into the 4th Doctor.
Now, the 3rd through 8th Doctors must work together to change history back to the way it should be.
This two-hour movie (which, for some reason, was edited into four thirty-minute segments for American broadcasts due to the BBC's "No 'Who-vies'" rule instituted for PBS [Public Broadcasting Service] in 1992) was voted #37 of 323 in the "Story of Stories" poll.